University of Florida 2013

[saul goodman esq]

Accepted into a program at UF, and almost certain to accept.  Never been to Gainesville; would like to see others' thoughts on the city and campus, whether they're new to the area or current students/alums, etc.

[Stefany]

I'm currently a senior at UF, but moving to Cornell for grad school this summer. I am going to miss Gainesville terribly. I moved here 4 years ago thinking I was going to hate it but have honestly loved every day here. It's a tiny town, but it's so welcoming and has AMAZING local food. The one thing that's different about this from other colleges is the Gator pride, everyone has it, and it's what makes everyone feel like family.   

[saul goodman esq]

Very cool.  Any recommendations for places/neighborhoods to live?  I heard that with the bus system, you can pretty much pick any direction.  Seem to be plenty of not so great apartment complexes, though.

[Stefany]

It really depends on your budget. I've lived with Trimark Properties and they are amazing, although a bit pricey due to their location (I can literally roll out of bed and be in my class in 10 minutes walking). You should check out their website. My first year I lived far away (Canopy Apartments) and had to take the bus, although the bus comes every 15-30 minutes depending on your area, it stops at every bus stop during high ridership hours so it can take anywhere from 20-45 minutes to get to your class and thats not including the 10 minutes it takes you to walk to the bus stop and the waiting time for the bus and another 5 minutes to walk from the bus stop to your actual class. So if I had class at 2, I would have to be out of my house by 1:10. It's really your personal preference though, if you have an hour a day to spare riding the bus, then go for it. The benefit is that the apartments farther away are nicer and cheaper. The apartments that are within walking distance tend to be a little more expensive and not so nice (except Trimark Properties). 

[student12345]

Accepted into a program at UF, and almost certain to accept.  Never been to Gainesville; would like to see others' thoughts on the city and campus, whether they're new to the area or current students/alums, etc.

 

Hi Saul. I just returned to the chilly north from my too-brief trip to Gainesville (I grew up in Florida so you can probably guess I don't enjoy the sub-10 degree temperatures in the northeast). The weather was perfect (70's-80's at noon to 30's at night), barring the humidity if you're not used to it. 

 

UF has a very big campus—certainly the largest campus I have ever visited. This was my first time at UF and I only managed to see a part of the northeast quadrant in two days. It's that big! If you come from a smaller school get ready for long walks (yet scenic) walks through the campus, which, in my eyes, is rivaled only by Cornell and Harvard in achieving that prototypical standard of campus beauty (trees and bricks everywhere!).

 

The intensity of school pride verges on being unbearable, especially coming from Boston U, where I'll bet a significant portion of undergrads don't know the school's colors. But the students are very friendly and sociable. 

 

My friends at UF love the food and facilities there. From what I've experienced during my trip I would agree (there are two Chick-fil-a's on the campus)!

[saul goodman esq]

Thanks!  What'd you think of what you saw of Griffin-Floyd Hall?  It's home to Philosophy in addition to Statistics, so it's where I'd be.

[stephchristine0]

OMG Gainsville is AMAZING!!!! bbq and mexican on every street. beautiful big campus!!! Love it there! I've been accepted and was given a grand tour before.

[student12345]

Thanks!  What'd you think of what you saw of Griffin-Floyd Hall?  It's home to Philosophy in addition to Statistics, so it's where I'd be.

 

Griffin-Floyd faces the Plaza of the Americas, a great big park-like area that is surrounded on one side by various chemistry buildings (plus Griffin-Floyd), on another by Library West, which is one of the big hangout spots on the campus (grad students have exclusive access to the top floor; the library itself is huge and has its own Starbucks on the bottom floor!), and on the others by more academic buildings and one of the main streets. The Plaza is bustling with students pitching all sorts of organizations and clubs and I even saw a few students sleeping in hammocks. 

 

Griffin-Floyd is also a 2-minute walk from the most popular spots on the campus, such as the Reitz Union (you might get to stay in the Reitz Union Hotel if you visit), which is home to a Game Room ($1 pool, bowling, and arcade every "Wacky" Wednesday!), an expansive food court (Burger King, Panda Express, and more are represented here), among a beautiful outdoor area complete with one of the most impressive fountains I've ever seen (the very same pond is home to a baby gator that happened to be lounging on-shore when I dropped by). If you are interested in football, the giant stadium (students call it "The Swamp") is just a 2-5 minute walk from G-F Hall; I'm sure the games can be heard at G-F, but none of the grad students complained about it. 

 

As for the Hall itself, there are some offices and classrooms on the first floor. The stats department is on the second floor, and you'll be on the third. The building was recently renovated and there is central A/C (although one professor told me temperatures can vary noticeably from room to room). The building is a bit creaky but I never felt like it was "old," it really did just feel "historic." UF's northeast quadrant is its so-called "Historic District," and I hear from the students there that this is the best part of the campus. 

 

I have basically decided that I will attend because I love the campus and the department; plus, many of my friends from HS (I attended HS in South Florida) are currently sophomores at UF (I graduated HS in 2011). There seems to be so much to do on campus and I'm really excited about starting there in the fall! I'd love to have a get-together with you guys when we all get there

Edited March 18, 2013 by kimolas

[Francophile1]

Does anybody know what are the major differences between Gainesville and Tallahassee? Also UFL and FSU?

Edited March 22, 2013 by Francophile1

[emeliej]

hey all! I just decided to attend UF as well if anyone have any apartment complexes to recommend let me know! or know anything about towne parc apartments or verdant cove? I get the sense that verdant cove was recentely renovated (and renamed?) so it doesn't have any reviews. hopefully I can make it down there and check it out soon!

[Soleil ت]

Hi everybody, I've also decided on UF.  I grew up in the greater Jacksonville area, so it will be nice to be an hour away from my hometown.  I haven't lived in Florida for almost nine years, so I'll have to readjust to the humidity...

 

So excited though! 

[nackteziege]

Does anybody know what are the major differences between Gainesville and Tallahassee? Also UFL and FSU?

 

This might be too late, but I did my undergrad at UF, graduate at FSU.

 

Gainesville = beautiful.  Tallahassee = kind of blighted, particularly near campus.  Honestly, I don't like Tallahassee very much.  It seems permanently under construction near campus and it's rather sprawling.  Gainesville is one of my favorite places in the world.

 

Comparing UF and FSU is tough without knowing what program you're concerned with.  Like most, I'm true to my undergrad and prefer UF, but I couldn't necessarily give you hard and fast reasons for that.

[joyly]

Hello all, I'm also going to attend UF. I'm very excited about that! Go Gators! I'd like to know more about Gainesville. If without a car, will it be convenient to go around by bus?

[cookad]

I have also decided to attend University of Florida in the fall!

 

I am leaning towards housing at Centerpoint, it seems affordable, but I'm not entirely sure of the area. Any pointers are much appreciated!

[thepriorwalter]

Anyone else attending UF in the fall? Starting to get excited? I feel like there's so much to do before the move.